Autumnal Haunting

Nature lovers will say all months and all seasons of a year are beautiful and have their own attractions. True but in a city of extreme climates peak summer and winter become unbearable and cause health issues and handicaps. Both compel you to be indoors.

For me autumn is the best season. From September end to first half of November are the best because it is neither hot nor cold. The sky is a detergent washed blue. The clouds are pure white, soft and shiny. The breeze is soothing, fragrance -full and makes one wistful in a nostalgic kind of way. Though autumn is the harbinger of winter yet it’s the time when the past diffuses with the present, woes melt into warmth, remembrances make you sad as well as hopeful. There is a mysticism about autumn which even spring cannot steal away.

I know many will vouch for spring. Spring is intoxicating. It is ephemeral. And leaves behind a hangover. Autumn stays. It’s wistfulness lasts longer and gradually coagulates into winter.

Readers will notice I am not going by months but by season as the climate in this part is erratic. At times the heat of the summer persists longer and at others winter may creep in early.

Like spring, autumn is the time for festivities and celebrations. It starts with Janmashtami, that is, the birthday of Lord Krishna. Then comes Raksha Bandhan – the joyous bond of protection of brothers for sisters. Ganesh Chaturthi is the ten days’ festival of Lord Ganesha. Followed by four days’ sojourn of Goddes Durga and her entire family. A week later we have the Kojagari Lakshmi Puja. The season comes to an end with Deepawali – the festival of lights.

Some say the festive season begins with Teej which is actually celebrated during the rainy season. In autumn the married ladies of Northern part of India keep a day of fast for the well being of their husbands. It’s known as Karwa Chauth. The workers worship their tools and machineries on Vishwakarma Puja. The day after Deepawali is Govardhan Puja and the day next Bhai Duj – again a festival of brothers and sisters. In between there are again days of fasting and one of them is for the good health of children which is known as Hoi.

India, as I have said before, is a land of Gods and Goddesses and innumerable festivals. The celebrations that I have mentioned afore are of North India. Each part of India has their respective strings of worships and celebrations.

On the flipside, this is also the time when pollution is at its peak. There is smog and fog giving rise to cough and cold and other health related issues. This year the AQI (Air Quality Index) was at its maximum ( read highest in terms of pollution). A sudden shower right before Diwali was a divine blessing which though brought down the temperature giving relief from dust and pollutants, but burning of crackers on Diwali brought us back to square one. Fireworks and burning crackers are part of Diwali celebration.

Sometimes in our mood to rejoice we forget the damages and harm we are bringing on ourselves. It’s a shame and a pity. Although Government imposed a lot of restrictions festival fervour could not be brought under control.

Deepawali or Diwali is also the day when Goddess Lakshmi and Mother Kali are worshipped.

In Diwali the houses were lit up with earthen diyas as well as electric lights. I had put up a ribbon of blues lights. Therefore, the spooky, smoky effect. 😉😉

The next day the sky was overcast with pollution marring the joy of Diwali.

Coming back to autumnal hauntings, yes, autumn haunts with its wispy, misty beauty.

Howsoever, foggy outside was sun shone by midday spreading its golden hue warming up hearts and clearing our heads of all misgivings.

That is the blessing of autumn.